Bosisio pleads innocent to doping charges

by VeloNation Press at 9:22 AM EST :: 0 Comments ::

Categories: Pro Cycling, Doping

Italian cyclist Gabriele Bosisio pleaded innocent to doping charges at a hearing with the Italian Olympic Committee's Anti-doping prosecutor on Monday.

The 29-year-old tested positive for the banned blood-booster EPO during a targeted out-of-competition test in September. The test was instigated by the International Cycling Union (UCI) when their revolutionary blood passport program detected unusual readings from the Italian.

"I've never taken EPO and I repeat that I am innocent," he told reporters.

Bosisio was part of the LPR Brakes-Farnese Vini team where he rode alongside compatriot Danilo Di Luca. Di Luca was suspended earlier this year after finishing second in the Giro d'Italia when two of his samples from the race tested positive for EPO.

Shortly after Di Luca's result, LPR Brakes pulled their sponsorship of the team. Di Luca has also maintained his innocence.

With programs like the biological passport, the UCI has made progress in cleaning up the sport of cycling.